MVTCP Annual Symposium

As part of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Partnership’s first U54 grant application, which was funded in 2001, the principal investigators proposed to have an annual cancer symposium. The symposium aimed to facilitate the exchange of cancer-related information between the cancer partnership investigators and their trainees from Meharry Medical College and VICC. Additionally, the symposium provided an opportunity to learn about the latest national cancer research topics and findings.

The Meharry-VICC partnership’s first cancer symposium was held in 2002 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nashville, and it was organized and hosted by Drs. Samuel E. Adunyah and Lynn Matrisian. Eventually, the planning committee decided to hold the symposium at Meharry Medical College to enhance cancer research activities within the institution. Immediately after Tennessee State University (TSU) was added to the partnership in 2011, the symposia were consistently held at Meharry or TSU. 

The annual symposium fosters a culture of research excellence and a passionate commitment to health equity in cancer care. The platform offers a collaborative space for researchers, clinicians, survivors, and advocates to exchange their expertise, share experiences, and discover innovative ideas and approaches to fight against cancer and bridge the gap in cancer outcomes for marginalized communities.

The Primary Objectives of the Symposium

  • Host cancer researchers and their trainees including nursing and MPH students from Belmont University, Lipscomb, Tennessee State University and Trevecca to attend and learn more about cancer.
  • Provide opportunities for PIs to share information about the MVTCP to attract cancer researchers to collaborate with members of the partnership.
  • Serve as a forum whereby MVTCP trainees can present results in the form of posters from their research and receive feedback from attendees.
  • Invite a nationally accomplished cancer researcher from outside Tennessee to give a keynote address on any topic related to cancer of breast, colorectal, lung which significantly affect minorities.